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Smith & Wesson Model 14

Double action revolver

Smith & Wesson Model 14
Smith & Wesson Model 14-4 with 6" barrel (top) and Smith & Wesson Model 10-6 with 4" barrel (bottom)
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Produced	1947-1982, 1991-1999, 2009-present
Variants	Model 14 Masterpiece Single-Action Model 14 Classic
Specifications
Length	4 inches (100 mm) 5 inches (130 mm) 6 inches (150 mm) 8+3⁄8 inches (210 mm)
Caliber	.38 Special
Action	Double-action revolver
Feed system	6-round cylinder
Sights	Adjustable open sights

The Smith & Wesson Model K-38 Target Masterpiece Revolver Model 14 is a six-shot, double-action revolver with adjustable open sights built on the medium-size "K" frame. It is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge, and most were fitted with a 6 in (150 mm) or 8+3⁄8 in (210 mm) barrel. A small batch were made with 4 in (100 mm) barrels, and even fewer were made with 5 in (130 mm) barrels. First produced in 1947 and originally known as the K-38 Target Masterpiece, it was renamed the Model 14 in 1957 when all Smith & Wesson revolvers were given numerical model numbers. It is built on the same medium-sized frame (K-frame) as the seminal Smith & Wesson Model 10 ("Military and Police") revolver. The K-38 model was authorized for duty with the Los Angeles Police Department^[1] in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Variants[edit]

The Model 14 Masterpiece Single-Action was available in 1961 and 1962.^[2] It came with a 6 in (150 mm) barrel and functioned in single-action only. It was otherwise identical to the rest of the Model 14s.

Smith & Wesson also released a Model 14 in their "Classics" line. A nickel-plated version^[3] has since been discontinued, but the blued-steel version^[4] is still available. Other than the finishes, the revolvers were identical with 6 in (150 mm) barrels, a pinned Patridge front sight, a micro-adjustable rear sight, and wood grips.

During the years 1965 - 1968 a serial number range of the Model 14-2 was acquired by the Dayton Gun Headquarters of Dayton, Ohio. Smith and Wesson allowed this gun distributor to block a number of serial numbers for a special run of 14-2 handguns. These handguns were distinctive in that they were all Model 14-2, 4-inch revolvers with a Baughman front sight and a mixture of standard or target hammers, triggers and stocks. The "Dayton" guns are a hybrid involving a shortened Model 14 barrel with a Model 15 sight. The Dayton guns were made in four separate blocks of serial numbers. They are: 1) K623337 - K623737 (401 pieces); 2) K623857 - K624496 (640 pieces); 3) K660288 - K661087 (800 pieces); 4) K661389 - K 661585 (197 pieces) for a total of 2038 pieces; during years 1965-1968.^[5]

Besides the aforementioned "Dayton Guns" and as noted in the beginning of this article, other 4-inch barreled models were produced. Specifically a group of these revolvers were ordered with 4-inch barrels for the Kansas City, Missouri Police Commission. This information has been verified through Smith and Wesson Archive letters of authenticity. These revolvers were slightly different having a standard barrel thickness as opposed to the heavy barrels displayed on the "Dayton Guns". “Bill Jabin notation”

Users[edit]

•  United States
  • Los Angeles Police Department^[1]

See also[edit]

• Smith & Wesson Model 15
• Smith & Wesson Model 17
• List of firearms

References[edit]

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